7 schools in Brooklyn and Manhattan to set admission quotas, reserving up to 60% of seats for disadvantaged students

The seven schools will reserve up to 60% of its seats for English learners, as well for kids who are in the welfare system or have incarcerated parents. (FangXiaNuo via iStock)

Seven Brooklyn and Manhattan public elementary schools will set admissions quotas to enroll a more diverse mix of students starting in September, city schools boss Carmen Fariña said Friday.

Under the ground-breaking plan, which could have far-reaching implications for a school system tarnished by segregated classrooms. The schools involved will reserve up to 60% of seats for English learners, students in the child-welfare system or kids with incarcerated parents.

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Currently, just one city school, Public School 133 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, employs diversity quotas to boost enrollment of low-income kids and students learning English in an arrangement implemented under Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2013.

"Students learn from the diverse experiences and cultures of their fellow students," Fariña said. "It's important that our schools match the diversity of our city."

City schools are some of the most segregated in the nation, and educators have sought to fix the problem for years.

Mayor de Blasio promised to tackle the crisis on the campaign trail but this is the first time his administration has allowed school principals to set admissions quotas.

The new schools implementing quotas are:

• Neighborhood School in the East Village, where kids from low-income families and English-language learners will have priority for 45% of seats.

• Earth School in the East Village, where kids from low-income families and English-language learners will have priority for 45% of seats.

• Castle Bridge School in Washington Heights, where students from families impacted by incarceration will have priority for 10% of seats and kids from low-income families will have priority for 60% of seats.

• Academy of Arts and Letters in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, where kids from low-income families will have priority for 40% of seats.

• The Brooklyn New School in Carroll Gardens, where kids from low-income families will have priority after siblings and current pre-K students.

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• The Children's School in South Park Slope, Brooklyn, where kids from low-income families and English Language learners would have priority would have priority for one-third of seats.

• Brooklyn Arts and Science Elementary School Prospect Heights, where English Language learners or kids in the child welfare system will have priority for 20% of seats.

Mayor Bill de Blasio campaigned on tackling the crisis of segregated schools in the city, but this is the first time his administration has allowed school principals to set admissions quotas. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

The principals of the seven participating schools first submitted proposals for their programs in 2014 after consulting with families and community leaders.

Arthur Mattia, principal of the Children's School in Brooklyn, called the change a step in the right direction.

"I am confident that my students and school will benefit," Mattia said.

Dozens of city charter school already employ quotas for in student admissions.

When the last charter admissions study was completed in 2012, 26 of the 45 charter elementary schools gave preference to English-language learners, and 19 gave preference to students who are eligible for free lunch.

The last racial quota in a city school was tossed out by a judge in 2008 at Mark Twain Intermediate School in Coney Island.

The Brooklyn school had enacted racial quotas in response to a 1974 desegregation court order.

A half-dozen parents of students interviewed by the News Friday at the Academy of Arts and Letters in Fort Greene all said they supported the plan.

"I'm absolutely thrilled," said Dawn Babbush, 46, who has two children enrolled at the school, where a new quota system will be used starting next year. "One of the things we value so dearly is the diversity of the students. I think it benefits all the children."

State education department commissioner MaryEllen Elia also spoke out in favor of the plan when it was announced.

"Students in diverse classrooms learn more, have more opportunity and they develop a better perspective on life outside of school," Elia said.

To ensure that families are aware of the changes, education department officials said elementary school directories will be updated online and translated into different languages.